Puzzle.



PATENTED JAN. 10, 1905.

W. H. NICHOLS.

PUZZLE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5,1904.

WITNESEEE- 46* & 4M "74 9 Patented January 10, 1905.

WILLIAM H. NICHOLS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. a

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 779,438, dated January10, 1905. Application filed July 5,1904. Serial No. 215,241.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. NICHOLS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented a new and useful Puzzle, of which the followingis afull,clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of this specification, in explaining itsnature.

My invention is of that class of puzzles wherein it is required to makeone or more balls roll into a trap past or over various obstacles andwill be readily understood by reference to the drawings, wherein Figure1 shows a plan view of a puzzle embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is avertical section of the same which is adapted to show the inclined armshereinafter more fully described.

Referring to the drawings, A is the bottom, and B is the side, of around shallow box formed, preferably, of cardboard or similar material.In the center of this box is a trap G, composed of a ring D of cardboardconcentrically placed with relation to the side of the box. This ringDispreferably constructed with a less height than the box in order that thecover K may be readily slipped on without interfering with the trap.Placed over this ring and forming the top of the trap is a spider havinga circular hub F, perforated at the center by a hole G, which forms theentrance to the trap. The arms H of the spider form unguarded runs andextend radially outwardly and downwardly to meet the bottom A, theirends being extended laterally to form a flat broken ring. The ends ofthese lateral extensions are beveledofi, as at I, to meet the bottom inorder that the balls may readily roll onto them.

Fixed to the hub F in front of the hole G and in line with the center ofthe arms or runs H are the pins or obstructions J, which are adapted toprevent the balls from rolling directly along the arms into the entranceto the trap. These obstructions J also have a tendency to cause theballs to bounce to one side off the hub to the bottom of the box.

L represents small balls of such a size as to readily pass through theentrance G.

The operation of my invention is as follows: One or more of the smallballs having been placed on the bottom A of the box, the operatorendeavors by tipping and jiggling the puzzle to make the balls run upthe runs or arms H past the pins J through the entrance G into the trap.

I have shown my puzzle in the best form known to me; but it is evidentthat the making of the part F circular is a mere matter of convenienceof manufacture and that the form of the puzzle may be varied by havingbut one inclined radial run instead of a plurality of runs, although thepuzzle in its present form is, I believe, the most satisfactory.

Having described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patentis 1. A puzzle of the kind described, comprising a box, a trap having atop located in said box, an unguarded inclined radial run extending tothe top of said trap, and an obstruction in said run closing directpassage to said top.

2. A puzzle of the kind described, comprising a box, a trap having a toplocated in said box, said top having an opening therein, unguardedinclined radial runs extending to the top of said trap and obstructionsin said runs closing direct passage to said top.

WILLIAM H. NICHOLS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE O. G. OoALE, M. E. FLAIIERTY.

